Software I use, gadgets I love, and other things I recommend.

I get asked a lot about the things I use to build software, stay productive, or buy to fool myself into thinking I’m being productive when I’m really just procrastinating. Here’s a big list of all of my favorite stuff.

Workstation

  • 13” MacBook Pro, M2, Base Model (2022)

    I was using a Windows setup prior to this, and the difference is night and day. The fans are virtually silent, only spinning up when I build iOS apps in Xcode.

  • NEC AS223WM 21.5-inch Monitor

    The original screen from my old Windows setup, and it's still going strong. It's been an incredibly dependable 1080p display, but I feel its age next to modern hardware. This is definitely the next piece of equipment on my list to be upgraded, hopefully to something with a higher resolution and refresh rate.

  • Redragon Kumara K552 Mechanical Keyboard

    This was a spontaneous buy while I was heading to uni, and it has proven to be one of the best value-for-money purchases I've ever made. Years later, it's still the keyboard on my desk. It's a testament that a solid, satisfying mechanical typing experience doesn't need to break the bank.

Development tools

  • Visual Studio Code

    For all my day-to-day development, VS Code is my trusted workhorse. Its power lies in the massive and ever-growing library of extensions. Thanks to the incredible community, I can find a tool for nearly any language, framework, or workflow, allowing me to create a tailored and efficient development environment for any project.

  • iTerm2

    I’m honestly not even sure what features I get with this that aren’t just part of the macOS Terminal but it’s what I use.

  • Termius

    Termius is my central hub for managing all SSH connections. The ability to sync hosts, port forwarding rules, and connection history across all my devices is a huge time-saver. It turns managing remote servers from a repetitive task into a streamlined, organized workflow.

Design

  • Figma

    We started using Figma as just a design tool but now it’s become my virtual whiteboard. Never would have expected the collaboration features to be the real hook.

Productivity

  • Raycast

    Raycast has completely replaced the default macOS search for me. It's more than an app launcher; it's my central command center. I use it for everything from managing my clipboard history and windows to running scripts and interacting with apps like GitHub, all without leaving the keyboard. It's an essential tool that keeps me in the flow.

  • Notion

    Notion serves as my second brain. It's the central hub where I organize everything from high-level project plans and technical documentation to quick notes and personal learning roadmaps. The power of its interconnected databases allows me to create flexible, structured systems that a simple notes app could never handle.

  • GitHub Copilot

    I use Copilot for everything from writing code to generating documentation. It's like having a pair programmer who can help me brainstorm solutions, write tests, and even draft blog posts. The AI suggestions are often surprisingly relevant, making it a valuable tool in my development workflow.